As we all know it is bad form to paint any group with a broad brush. One group that seems to be getting that more and more is the Muslim community. A small (?) sect of Muslims worldwide are creating most of the havoc. Therefore they get most of the headlines and there is the appearance that Islam is an intolerant, violent religon. But then we also hear that these folks do not represent the Muslim world, the Islam is a religon of peace, etc. Of course this is usually muted because it is not as newsworthy as blowing something up.
But is the opposition to these militant forces within the Muslim world strong enough? Surely someone who is rabidly anti-muslim, or even someone who wants to be tolerant but is bombarded with radical muslims rioting over cartoons and taking hostages etc. finds it hard to believe or even hear the more reasonable Muslim voices.
But whose fault? There is not just the potential problems that the Muslim do not get their messages of peace out. There is the other issue: That the Muslim world does not do enough to condemn their own. Should they? Do they really want to? Certainly the internal opposition is out there, but is it a force or is it random voices in the wilderness?
The growing discomfort many in the Western World seem to have with Islam, how much of it is because of outright ignorance in the West? Or maybe not ignorance, but an inability (or lack of desire) to see past the newsworthy, violent groups? Or how much blame lies at the feet of the Muslim World itself? And I don’t mean the ones perpetrating the violence, I am talking about those who apeear complicit or seem to act weak in the face of the more radical elements of the religon.
Why limit it to Muslims? We can see similar trends in christianity. How much do you hear from tolerant christians versus the fire and brimstone christians? Christianity has the Pat Robertson’s and his ilk spreading their brand of intolerance that you hear much more about than someone else talking about peace and love thy neighbor.
Sure, but when Pat Robertson suggested that Chavez should be assassinated we heard all sorts of people condemn his words, demand apologies, etc. Does that kind of thing go on in the middle east? Also, I see where you’re going to with the comparison but I’m not sure how valid it is. When the 700 Club starts hijacking planes, issuing fatwahs against artist who create cartoons of Jesus, and murdering females for bringing dishonor to the family you’ll have a much more accurate comparison.
Afghan man who became Christian may face death for rejecting Islam http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002876685_convert20.html
An absolutely priceless quote:
“We are not against any particular religion in the world. But in Afghanistan, this sort of thing is against the law,” the judge said. “It is an attack on Islam.”
I’m glad somebody posted the OP. IMHO the answer is a big NO
Even though I strongly disagree with almost everything Goerge Bush and this administration has done regarding terrorism when it some to how responsible is the Muslim world in general is a dam valid question.
Before the invasion of Iraq Bush said that if countries knowingly supported and offered safe haven or financial aide to terrorists then they were guilty and I agreed and still agree. There is big trouble and much potential violence brewing. Muslims who keep saying that Islam is a religion of peace need to start preaching a little louder and Governments need to do much more to demonstrate they are against terrorism.
I get the feeling that the underlying feeling and message is “We’re against terrorism” {unless you deserve it} " We’re against violence against innocents"
{Although it is making a valid point}
I sense a feeling of anger and animosity against the west {not entirely undeserved} that hinders the peace process.
The other side of that coin is that when violence against Muslims is accepted as totally justified by some bullshit disingenuous reason then what kind of response to you expect. If we want to insist that Muslim governments denounce terrorism then maybe we shouldn’t have our army in a Muslim country. We must demonstrate that we have no desire to control and manipulate Muslim countries to serve our own interests.